Eagles fend off late Lions' charge in five-set thriller
The Mars Hill volleyball team (15-7, 10-4 SAC) was defeated in five sets (19-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-11, 11-15) versus Carson-Newman (22-4, 13-2 SAC) in South Atlantic Conference Mountain Division play Tuesday night.
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The Mars Hill volleyball team (15-7, 10-4 SAC) was defeated in five sets (19-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-11, 11-15) versus Carson-Newman (22-4, 13-2 SAC) in South Atlantic Conference Mountain Division play Tuesday night.
In the fifth set, Mars Hill led 3-1 early before an Eagles' 4-0 run provided them a lead they would cling on to in order to secure the win. Julia Wheeler had two kills in the run. The Lions pulled within two on four separate occasions, but were unable to complete the comeback.
Trailing 2-0 in the match, Mars Hill rallied to force a fourth set, taking the third by a score of 25-21. The Lions never trailed in the set and led by as many as eight, 22-14, late in the frame. Sarah Goddard and Jana Cuk led the offense with four kills apiece.
The fourth set saw Mars Hill dominate Carson-Newman, hitting .314 to the Eagles' -.054. Cuk and Grace Lilly led the Lions with four kills apiece. Mars Hill, already leading by seven, 17-10, went on a 7-0 run to build their largest lead in any set as they led by 14 en route to forcing a fifth set.
Tied at seven in the first set, Carson-Newman reeled off six straight points to build a healthy lead. Late in the stanza, the Lions went on a 6-0 run to pull within three, but the Eagles responded with three straight points to take the opening set.
Mars Hill opened the second up 2-0 before the Eagles went on a 6-0 run to take the lead. Briefly tied at 10 midway through the set, Carson-Newman once again took the lead and built it to as many as four, 21-17. Late in the second, Mars Hill clawed to within one, 21-20, but another 4-0 run by the Eagles put Carson-Newman up 2-0 entering the third.
The Lions outhit the Eagles .140 to .114 in the loss. Wheeler led all players with 22 kills.
Cuk led all players by hitting .333 on the night and led the team with 16 kills. Goddard added 14 and 19 digs for the double-double while Lilly posted 10 kills and 16 digs for her double-double. Jordan Schmucker notched 40 assists and 27 digs while Laela Jimenez led the Lions with 28 digs. Emma Vacha led the Lions with six blocks (1 BS, 5 BA).
Mars Hill returns home on Friday, October 28 when they take on UVA Wise. First serve is set for 7 p.m.